Cougars move up in polls; Keenum nets weekly honor

The newest Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls released today and the Houston Cougars moved up a few notches in both once again.

In the Associated Press Top 25, UH moved up to No. 14. The Cougars were No. 18 last week.

In the USA Today Coaches Poll, UH has also shot up to No. 14, four spots ahead of where they were last week at No. 18.

It’s the highest UH has been ranked since 2009, when the Cougars reached No. 12 in the polls.

UH is coming off a 73-34 win over crosstown rival Rice in the Bayou Bucket battle on Thursday at Robertson Stadium. The Cougars improved to 8-0, tying their best start in school history (also achieved in 1990 and 1979).

The latest Bowl Championship Series rankings will be out on Sunday evening. UH ranked 17th in the BCS last week.

Also, Houston quarterback Case Keenum was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against Rice. Keenum was 24-of-37 passing for 534 yards and nine touchdown passes in the win. In the win he broke the NCAA career record for touchdown passes (139, besting Graham Harrell’s 134), marking the second career record that Keenum has toppled in as many weeks.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation is part of the National College Football Awards Association and distributes several awards, including a national player of the year award.